Oslo: Smart Initiatives to Cut CO2 Emissions

Oslo strives to be a leading force in the green transformation, and will cut emissions in half by 2020 with its smart climate and energy strategy encompassing mobility, governance, and renewable energy.

Researched by

Dec 14. 2017

The City of Oslo aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2020 and 95% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The strategy has three main areas: smart mobility, smart governance, and smart energy and comprises 16 initiatives such as reducing car traffic by 20%, phasing out the use of fossil fuel for heating and public transport, and eco-efficient procurement. All are intended to contribute to positive implications for climate change, urban planning and development, local transport, air quality, energy performance, eco‐innovation, and sustainable employment.

95% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030

Cities1002017

One of the most novel initiatives is integrating climate budgets as a part of the city’s financial budget and, as such, count carbon dioxide the same way the city counts money. It was launched in 2016, and is one of the first city carbon budgets in the world. All city departments have been given responsibility for goal attainment and annual expected progress on the targets in the climate budget. The quarterly and annual reports on the progress are managed within the existing formal financial and governance system of the city.

Oslo will upgrade the city to become a new and better version of itself, and seeks to inspire other cities to follow this path to create more sustainable cities around the globe.

The challenge

Greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 25% since 1990 in Oslo. However, Oslo is in a unique position, with ready access to renewable energy and financial and human resources to develop and test new solutions, contributing to a better, greener, and more livable city.